KPBS Media Contact
Claudine Casillas, (619) 594-4266
Starting today, KPBS Radio will feature a new schedule in the middle of the day and on the weekends. The changes reflect the station’s priority to deliver quality news and information plus bring some new voices to the air. Among the changes announced is the addition of The Takeaway with John Hockenberry at 11 a.m. Mondays through Fridays.
“With these changes, KPBS will better meet our audience’s need for quality, relevant news in the middle of the day, plus feature some of the best new public radio talent,” said KPBS Director of Programming John Decker.
A production of WNYC in New York and the BBC, The Takeaway places the major stories of the day into context. To The Point with Warren Olney, which previously held the 11 o’clock slot, will air at 1 p.m. Fresh Air with Terry Gross will move to Mondays-Thursdays at 8 p.m.
FAQs
Click here to access answers to frequently asked questions about these schedule changes.
Fresh Air, which aired at one o’clock for more than 20 years, was the only non-news program during KPBS’ midday schedule. Recent ratings reports have shown a steady decrease in audience for Fresh Air, though audience for the station’s news content has been at an all-time high.
“There is a place for the type of insightful, thoughtful conversation that Terry Gross and Fresh Air provide,” Decker continued. “The changes we are implementing will serve the public’s growing need for timely, relevant news in the middle of the day and thoughtful conversation at night.” In addition to the 8 p.m. broadcast, fans of Fresh Air will be able to stream the show daily via freshair.npr.org or subscribe to the podcast.
In addition, the encore of KPBS Midday Edition will move up to 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays following Fresh Air with Terry Gross. The earlier time for the Midday Edition repeat makes it possible for even more listeners to get caught up on the day’s local news.
For the next six weeks, KPBS will present Invisibilia at 8 p.m. on Fridays. The new series comes from the creators of Radiolab and This American Life and explores the intangible forces that shape human behavior. Radiolab will return to Fridays at 8 p.m. when the six part series ends on February 20.
Beginning this weekend, Saturdays and Sundays will also feature new programs as well as new start times for several current programs. Giving audiences a chance to get their laughs in even earlier, Saturday’s broadcast of Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me will move up to 9 a.m. New times are also in store for Radiolab, TED Radio Hour, and Ask Me Another - all of which showed gains in popularity in recent months. Shows being added to the weekend schedule include America’s Test Kitchen, Snap Judgment, and Wits.
The Splendid Table, Day 6, The PBS NewsHour, and Animal House will no longer air on KPBS Radio. The PBS NewsHour will continue to air nightly on KPBS-TV. Its departure from the radio schedule is a result of broadcast rights expiring at 9 p.m. Day 6 and The Splendid Table are well produced shows, however their reach to the local audience was small. Fans of Day 6 can stream the program or download podcasts at cbc.ca/day6 and weekly episodes of The Splendid Table are available at splendidtable.org. Q offers audio and video podcasts as well as live and on-demand streaming via cbc.ca/q. Animal House is no longer in production.
Full program descriptions and schedule changes are attached. The radio schedule can be accessed at KPBS.org/radioschedule.
KPBS is a public service of San Diego State University, serving the region with TV, Radio and Internet content that is educational as well as entertaining—and free of commercial interruption.
Learn About the New Programs
The Takeaway with John Hockenberry brings together perspectives and analysis through conversations with listeners, newsmakers, and journalists and features diverse voices from around the country. The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with The New York Times and WGBH Boston. Airs Mondays-Fridays at 11 a.m. on KPBS.
Invisibilia is a six week series produced by NPR and hosted by Lulu Miller and Alix Spiegel. The show explores the nature of human behavior by weaving together narrative storytelling with new discoveries in brain science. Airs Fridays, January 16-February 20 at 8 p.m. on KPBS.
Wits features today’s comedians, actors, and musicians live on stage for improv, sketch comedy, music, and conversation. Wits is hosted by John Moe and produced by American Public Media. Airs Fridays at 9 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 p.m. on KPBS.
America’s Test Kitchen is filled with clear, practical information for foodies, cooks, and novices alike. Hosted by Chris Kimball, the show features call ins and conversations with people who come to food and cooking from unique perspectives. Airs Saturdays at 4 p.m. on KPBS.
Snap Judgment is an hour of fresh, dynamic storytelling from NPR that dares listeners to see the world in a new way. Hosted by Glynn Washington, Snap Judgment explores themes, events, and lives in dramatic, thoughtful, and creative ways. Airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. on KPBS.
New times for Current Shows
Weekdays
- To the Point – Mondays-Fridays at 1 p.m.
- Fresh Air – Mondays-Thursdays at 8 p.m.
- KPBS Midday Edition – Mondays-Thursdays at 9 p.m.
- BBC – Mondays-Thursdays at 10 p.m.
- Invisibilia / Radiolab – Fridays at 8 p.m.
- Wits – Fridays at 9 p.m.
- This American Life – Fridays at 10 p.m.
Saturdays
- Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me – Saturdays at 9 a.m.
- Radiolab – Saturdays at 11 a.m.
- TED Radio Hour – Saturdays at noon
- Ask Me Another – Saturdays at 1 p.m.
- A Way With Words – Saturdays at 2 p.m.
- Weekend All Things Considered – Saturdays at 5 p.m. (one hour)
Sundays
- Best of Car Talk – Sundays at 2 p.m.
- A Way With Words – Sundays at 3 p.m.
- On the Media – Sundays at 4 p.m.
- Weekend All Things Considered – Sundays at 5 p.m. (one hour)
- Travels with Rick Steves – Sundays at 6 p.m.
- Jacobs Masterworks Series – Sundays at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
